New Zealand had won 16-0 and 11-0 in their last two games against Tonga, in 2014 and 2018. The Apia effort was the Ferns’ lowest score against an Oceania side since a 3-0 win over Papua New Guinea in 2014.
Admittedly, conditions were sapping, with 80% humidity, and Tonga had bolstered their team with North American-born players of Tongan heritage.
But, while Tonga’s defensive determination had to be admired, the Ferns - who had scored just six goals in their previous 20 A-internationals since September 2022 - still sorely lack a killer touch in front of goal.
Ferns coach Jitka Klimková was without some senior players, with some still arriving in Apia on matchday from club assignments. She handed Fraser and Phoenix goalkeeper Brianna Edwards their first caps and starts.
Edwards could have sunk into a deckchair and worked on her tan in the stifling 31-degree heat as she hardly had to handle the ball.
But Fraser was often the fulcrum of the Ferns’ best moves, especially in the first spell. The 21-year-old midfielder crashed a shot against the crossbar before Grace Jale tucked home the rebound for the first goal after 90 seconds.
Fraser later drew a sharp save from Tonga keeper Madison Tenifa with a shot from 23m, and her passing precision was a feature of the first half. Her vision, at times, seemed a step ahead of her team-mates.
The Ferns - captained by veteran defender Rebekah Stott - led 3-0 after 16 minutes following two goals by Jale - her first for the Ferns in six years - sandwiched by Ally Green’s first for her country from the penalty spot.